Did the B-day Fast Pass today. Updated with PIC's 1-5.

[jade1]

Left VWL yesterday ( it was great as usual), checked into BCV for EPCOT NY eve-never did close at int gateway. Anyway did the DHS for the FP-turned out you select 2 from TSM/RNR/TOT and 2 from Startours,LMermaid/Stunt show. We each received a key card and inserted it into the FP machine we wanted and it gave immediate 1 hour window. Even after the machines closed they kept one running just for this reason. Nobody could tell us what attractions are offered at the other parks so we will check tomorrow somehow-we have another bday tomorrow. Overall since it was a busy day we were very happy with the process.

 

[KyleRayner]

Thanks for letting us know how this works. I'm looking forwarding to using this for my sister's b-day in May. Let us know what Fast Passes they give at the other parks.

 

[Inkmahm]

That's it? The FP was good for a total of 4 rides for the entire day? If so, I'm going to be very disappointed. That's the option I was planning to pick for my birthday in March at the MK, but for 4 rides, it doesn't seem worth it to pass up the $70 gift card. I may have to rethink my choice...

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

That's it? The FP was good for a total of 4 rides for the entire day? If so, I'm going to be very disappointed. That's the option I was planning to pick for my birthday in March at the MK, but for 4 rides, it doesn't seem worth it to pass up the $70 gift card. I may have to rethink my choice...

I totally agree.

MK does have more FP attractions than HS, but FP for 2/3 of the rides would only be 6 rides at MK.

I wonder if the pick 2 of 3 was designed for only really heavy park attendance, but would bet that it would be that way throughout the year.

I'm disappointed by this as the literature from Disney didn't imply some fastpasses, but all fastpasses. I'm also pretty sure that by March, strategies will be out there on how to use the system, like ride Pirates, pick up a regular fast pass, get bday fast passes for SM and BTMRR, and come back to use regular fastpass at Pirates.

My greatest hope was that I could ride the FP attractions over and over again all day. ((I know, but it was a nice dream!))

p.s. - I turn 40 on March 24th.

 

[doconeill]

Unfortunately, despite MK having more rides, a thread from yesterday indicated the same thing - 4 total Fastpasses, split between two groups. I updated my Fastpass web page with the info from yesterday.

By Stunt Show, do you mean Indy? And I thought Little Mermaid was supposed to have stopped using Fastpass a few months ago...

Did they identify the two groups of attractions by characters? Supposedly in the MK they used Donald and Daisy...

 

[DisneyCruisin']

I totally agree.
p.s. - I turn 40 on March 24th.

Happy Birthday on March 24th - we share the same birthday!

 

[HayGan]

Thanks for the info! Between the inability to upgrade the free pass a day prior to my son's b-day and only 4 fastpasses in a slow time, I think we will be selecting the merchandise credit for him. He will have fun spending it without me saying "no that is a waste of money "

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Unfortunately, despite MK having more rides, a thread from yesterday indicated the same thing - 4 I updated my Fastpass web page with the info from yesterday.total Fastpasses, split between two groups.

Thats a real bummer! I think I'll use my $75 to help upgrade my park tickets to an AP!! I don't get it either. It seems like Disney would want to hand out all kinds of FPs to AVOID everyone taking the merchandise card. However, this could totally change my FP strategy. With it being 4 total for any park, Epcot looks a lot more appealing for that day.

Happy Birthday on March 24th - we share the same birthday!

Cool! I've always thought March 24th was the best day to have a birthday.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Thanks for letting me know how the FP works at DHS. I'm planning on visiting DHS on my birthday next year, and TSM is definitely on the list.

 

[doconeill]

With it being 4 total for any park, Epcot looks a lot more appealing for that day.

The splitting seems to be one group of the post popular, one group of everything else that takes FP. If I were to guess at the Epcot split:

Soarin', Test Track, Mission: Space
Living With The Land, Maelstrom, Shrunk

 

[Brian Noble]

I think I'll use my $75 to help upgrade my park tickets to an AP!!

Just a note, this can't be done with the merchandise credit---that has to be used in Disney-owned stores, not guest services/ticketing. I think you can upgrade your free one-day admission, with credit for the purchase price, but don't know that for sure.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Thats a real bummer! I think I'll use my $75 to help upgrade my park tickets to an AP!!

Is the merchandise card good for tickets? I thought it was for merchandise, tours and on-site photo-pass. -- Suzanne

 

[HayGan]

You can use the free ticket to upgrade but not the merchandise credit.

 

[Inkmahm]

Does the Merchandise credit have to be used ON the birthday or can I use it anytime during my trip?

I really expected the BD fastpasses to be similar to the dream fastpasses with the tear off tags for each ride. We got one of those at MGM and loved it.

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

please explain how to use the free ticket to upgrade. Like if I want to buy a 5 day hopper for example......can I use the free ticket to upgrade to that?

 

[HayGan]

Does the Merchandise credit have to be used ON the birthday or can I use it anytime during my trip?

Yes it has to be used on the day of your birthday. Use it or lose it.

Here is the link to the merchandise credit details http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/birthdayFunCard/index

Official Disney answer:

Q: What if I don't spend my entire birthday fun card on my birthday?

A: The birthday fun card is valid only on your birthday. Any residual value cannot be recovered by the Guest after that day.

please explain how to use the free ticket to upgrade. Like if I want to buy a 5 day hopper for example......can I use the free ticket to upgrade to that?

When you pick up your ticket you can tell them that you want to upgrade right then and there. They will apply the gate price of a one day ticket to your selected pass.

Here is the official Disney answer:

Q: Can I upgrade my free birthday ticket to another ticket type?

A: Yes, the free birthday ticket may be upgraded to another ticket type on your birthday. However the celebrant is responsible for the incremental cost and the new ticket may only be used by the celebrant. In addition, the One Day/One Park Ticket good for 12 months (an option for select Guests) may not be upgraded.

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

ok so lets say that my stay is june 21-26 and my birthday is june 24......will i be able to go ahead and upgrade my birthday ticket on june 21 since that is not my actual birthday? how would this work?

 

[Brian Noble]

As I understand it, you don't get your freebie until your actual birthday. So, you'd have to opt for one of the other two choices instead.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

OK, DH and I have already purchased 6 day PH passes to be activated in March, but have been thinking about returning in December '09 and converting our MYW tickets to DVC APs. $75 credit would almost pay the difference for me.

1. Can I use my bday credit in some way to go up to an AP or will Disney only let me add a 7th day [big deal] to my ticket. If so, I could just use my $75 to spend on souvies that we would have bought anyway, and still upgrade.
   
2. If we go for 6 days for each trip, and don't do water parks are we better off with APs or 10 day non-expiring tickets?
   

 

[Brian Noble]

1: Probably not. Generally, you are not allowed to combine two tickets' value in purchasing a new one.

2: Probably APs---absolutely APs if you are eligitlbe for DVC AP pricing.